As World Refugee Day 2022 approaches, we reflect on the crisis of global displacement. Today, more than 100 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide. These refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced people find themselves in vulnerable situations, without the necessary support.
Clients arrive at Elmhurst Hospital and New York City from across the globe . The yarn above represents their journeys to Libertas, the nail in the center.
When clients arrive at Libertas, 90% are asylum seekers. Forced to flee their homes and lives because of targeted persecution, separated from their families and support systems, and at risk for discrimination, our clients seek safety and refuge here.
A photo taken by Libertas staff at the U.S-Mexico Border Wall - 24% of Libertas clients come across the U.S.-Mexico Border.
Receiving asylum is key to clients’ sense of stability. However, the complex and lengthy asylum process adds years of stress and fear compounding their trauma.
“I always worry about my immigration.”
- Libertas Client
Understandably, Libertas clients still in the asylum seeking process utilize mental health resources at a higher rate and for longer periods of time compared to those who have been granted asylum. Libertas supports clients’ health and well-being through the provision of holistic services including supportive counseling and mental health care. We encourage compassion and understanding as these incredibly resilient individuals navigate multiple challenges on the path to rebuilding their lives.
